A new digital platform, the Governance Wiki, has officially launched to support Scotland’s voluntary sector in navigating governance challenges. Developed by Midlothian Community Action (MCA) in collaboration with third sector experts, the Wiki was unveiled during Small Charities Week 2025 and is now freely accessible to charities, community groups, and voluntary organisations across the country.
The Governance Wiki is designed to demystify governance and make it more accessible, especially for smaller or volunteer-led organisations that often lack the resources to access traditional training or stay updated with evolving regulations. The platform offers clear, up-to-date guidance on a wide range of topics including legal obligations, board responsibilities, compliance, and risk management.
Funded by the Tyne-Esk Community Led Local Development Fund, the initiative responds to growing demand for practical governance support. “We heard loud and clear from the sector that governance needs to be demystified and made accessible,” said Dr Lesley Kelly, Chief Officer at MCA. “The Governance Wiki brings together trusted resources curated from across the TSI Network and signposts users to excellent existing materials from organisations like SCVO and Evaluation Support Scotland.”
The project was shaped through extensive consultation with Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) and other stakeholders. The content was led by an independent consultant from IBSM Ltd, with development support from Glasgow Social Enterprise Network, Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action, and CVS Inverclyde. The platform itself was built by Volunteer Edinburgh, leveraging the infrastructure of its successful Volunteer Wiki.
Designed with the user experience in mind, the Governance Wiki features intuitive navigation, mobile accessibility, and a powerful search function to help users find the information they need quickly and easily.
Looking ahead, MCA and the TSI Network plan to:
- Continuously update and expand the content
- Evaluate usage and gather feedback, starting with an event at the TSI Conference in October
- Collaborate with sector bodies to ensure alignment with governance best practices
The Governance Wiki is a significant step forward in strengthening the governance capacity of Scotland’s third sector.
